Grand Rapids' food scene is bursting with local flavor. Farmers, teachers, chefs and activists are taking back their foodways and serving up the fresh, healthful fruits of their labor. Author Lisa Rose Starner captures the essence of the growing food movement in Grand Rapids and the rugged individuals who are tilling the soil, growing food and launching successful food businesses while powering community change--one garden, one backyard, one block, one store, one plate of food, cup of coffee and mug of beer at a time.

Grand Rapids restaurants have served up meals and memories since the city's earliest days. At Bentham's, one of the first downtown restaurants, customers without money to eat could trade an animal pelt for supper. John Sebaitis trained his German shepherd, Spooky, to serve beer to the patrons at his tavern. And a seventeen-year-old Gerald R. Ford worked part time as a server and dish washer at Bill's Place. Join Norma Lewis as she explores the history of Grand Rapids most beloved eateries and the stories behind them. Book jacket.

“This full color guide makes foraging accessible for beginners and is a reliable source for advanced foragers.” —Edible Chicago The Midwest offers a veritable feast for foragers, and with Lisa Rose as your trusted guide you will learn how to safely find and identify an abundance of delicious wild plants. The plant profiles in Midwest Foraging include clear, color photographs, identification tips, guidance on how to ethically harvest, and suggestions for eating and preserving. A handy seasonal planner details which plants are available during every season. Thorough, comprehensive, and safe, this is a must-have for foragers in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Minnesota, Michigan, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, South Dakota, and North Dakota.

Nevada's population boomed in the 1800s, ignited by the rush to find gold and silver. Thousands of prospectors, many German immigrants, passed through the up-and-coming mining towns, and breweries popped up in their wake. As the mining slowly wound down, whole towns disappeared, and breweries struggled to survive in the Silver State. Carson Brewing Company was closed in 1948, Reno Brewing Company shut its doors in 1957 and it would be decades before craft brewers like Great Basin, Big Dog's and Revision brought local beer back into the spotlight. Join author Pat Evans as he dives into the rough-and-tumble history of beer making in the Battle Born State and looks ahead to its bright future.

Hungry for change? Put the power of food co-ops on your plate and grow your local food economy. Food has become ground-zero in our efforts to increase awareness of how our choices impact the world. Yet while we have begun to transform our communities and dinner plates, the most authoritative strand of the food web has received surprisingly little attention: the grocery store—the epicenter of our food-gathering ritual. Through penetrating analysis and inspiring stories and examples of American and Canadian food co-ops, Grocery Story makes a compelling case for the transformation of the grocery store aisles as the emerging frontier in the local and good food movements. Author Jon Steinman: Deconstructs the food retail sector and the shadows cast by corporate giants Makes the case for food co-ops as an alternative Shows how co-ops spur the creation of local food-based economies and enhance low-income food access. Grocery Story is for everyone who eats. Whether you strive to eat more local and sustainable food, or are in support of community economic development, Grocery Story will leave you hungry to join the food co-op movement in your own community.

In "Just Good Food for Good Friends," Dirk Hoffius demonstrates his passion for cooking for his family and friends. As he collected his favorite recipes, a theme was evident: recipes that were so simple that one would be embarrassed to explain how it was made. However, his guests kept raving, and he kept collecting those simple hits. Eventually, his friends became aware of the collection and expressed their expectation of a copy. And so, the birth of "Just Good Food for Good Friends." Throughout the 156 recipes, Dirk covers the basics with appetizing appetizers, simple salads with delicious homemade dressings, soups, vegetables, side dishes, homemade salts and sauces (be sure to try the Rattlesnake Salt), meats, poultry, seafood, brunch, and desserts. With each recipe comes with a vignette on the origins of the recipe or a quick tip.